In my last post I wrote about the need to “rebuild the foundation,” in my life, as it pertained to my loved ones. I could see the enemy laying the groundwork, for many years, and he had robbed us of so much. The Holy Spirit, revealed everything to me, through His discernment, in His given time.

I had been deceived. Angry. Bitter. I had fought, because of the years of hurt that I’d experienced. Every bitter seed sown into my heart. The enemy had used this. And this is why the Lord tells us to keep this from taking root. Because the enemy is so good at what he does. He will allow this to grow in soil and we have eyes that perceive something, but we are looking through a flawed glass. He loves this. To focus on something else, so that we are distracted from the truth. As long as there is discord. Division. Because the power is in unity. That has always been the Lords message to us.

So if you see contention and division, you can bet that the enemy is at work. Spinning lies, to keep you divided. But how does he do this? He is a master at his craft. He’s been at it since the beginning of time. In the Garden of Eden. Look at how he spoke to Eve. He posed a question to make her doubt her creator. He didn’t use a blatant deception. It was a question making her doubt the authority of God.

Satan uses enough truth mixed with lies, to make it acceptable. This is the world system. He rules the world system, until the return of our Lord. Now, our responsibility as believers, is to understand this and to realize that each day presents another day of warfare.

He uses the people closest to us to bring us down. So therein lies, the meaning of the words which Jesus spoke of when he said, “And do not think that I came to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be those of his own household. (Matthew 10:34) The warfare caused by the knowledge of this truth, is incredible, and the enemy will do everything possible to divide as a result.

Paul had spoken of this warfare in Ephesians. We skip past this in many teachings, and it is the most important aspect of a new believers life. I never understood what was happening to me in most situations, and I think that many believers are lost to the world, because they aren’t trained.

Christ taught His disciples to be spiritual soldiers and this is what is important. The Bride of Christ is a warrior Bride. We fight against spiritual forces of this world. As in any military, we need to understand our enemy. Paul said, “We are not ignorant of his schemes.”

In 2 Corinthians 10:4 “The weapons we fight with are not of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” (NIV) Or in the New Living Translation, We use God’s might weapons not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of the human reasoning and to destroy the false arguments.

Now let’s look at the spiritual world versus the carnal world, for all the cynics out there. When you look at this world, you must admit, there is an order to it. There’s no denying this. Even the seasons, give reason to believe that there is some order to the universe.

Now, there is also an order in the spirit world, as there is in the natural world. Paul told us that “natural world speaks of things eternal.” So, we do know that the spirit world came first, and will exist after this.

We know that there is a heirerarchy, because our we are told of the greater and lesser beings. And He gave authority, even in heaven. He began this also in the Garden of Eden. It was important for everyone to submit to some authority and no one to be a law unto themselves. This is why Satan is referred to as, “the lawless one, full of rebellion.” It is also why the Lord said, that “He demands obedience above sacrifice.” And rebellion is as witchcraft.”

He wants us to know that He is a Father who loves us and protects us. That His discipline is not out of anger, but to keep us safe, from the enemy. He is full of love and compassion, as a perfect Father. The enemy’s lies are to keep us in fear and running from His love and protection, just as Adam and Eve did in the Garden.

The enemy will get a space, or foothold, in our mind, and if it is anger, toward someone, he will spin a lie. Now our mind is like a battlefield. If this lie is not dealt with, it becomes a fortress, or stronghold. A stronghold is a belief system, by which we operate. Our basis for ‘truth,’ now comes from this position. This instead of God’s Word. This is why the Lord tells us to “pull this down.” We are told to “cast down every vain imagination, which exalts itself against the knowledge of Jesus Christ.”

I had a pastor preaching years ago about the meaning of Golgotha, and how appropriate. “The Skull.” For Christ to be crucified on the Mountain, and to have told us, in essence, put to death, every thought, which enters our mind, that doesn’t come from Him. I saw this place, when I went to Israel, and it gave me a shudder, to know, his blood ran down from this hill, for my sickening thoughts, which I refused to crucify. Every nail, that I placed in His flesh. Every thorn, I pounded into His head, every time, I spit on Him. Every time, I mocked Him. Yes, that was me. And I wouldn’t dare think otherwise. All I could do was bow my head and say, forgive me Lord.

The enemy will go back and forth between two or more people. Hoping that they will not speak. He will continue to do this and build on this. The people get angrier and angrier. Sometimes not even realizing it is a lie. Terrible destruction happens as a result. As believer’s it is very frustrating. Even seem insane. Don’t forget. The enemy is good at what he does. Judas was a disciple. Just remember love each other, because the Lord loves all of us, and our one common enemy is doing this.

This is why the Lord says, “And if a brother offends another, go to this brother and speak to them.” Sometimes it has never even taken place. The enemy has lied about the whole thing. This is also why intervention takes place in families. Because the offending person, is spinning lies to everyone and keeping each person in their place. Hoping that no one finds out.

Why does a person do this? Because the enemy has this person so bound up in fear about their own sin, that they’re afraid, if anyone ever finds out who they really are, they will not be loved. But they have forgotten, that the Father knows all the secrets of our hearts. The hidden things. He loves us. The enemy has deceived them. So, for the rest of their life, they live in bondage to the enemy. He holds the keys. He torments them. Satan is referred to as, “The Accuser of the brethren. He accuses us night and day before the Father. ” The Father wants repentance, and the enemy does not.

As long as we are in darkness, we are in prison. The Lord told us, “That they overcame him by the word of their testimony, and the blood of the lamb, and by not loving their lives unto death.”

The Skull

So, let’s tear down the strongholds together, and remember to love one another, as the Lord loves us!